News / Local
Man stabbed to death for blocking path
16 May 2015 at 11:30hrs | Views
A MAKOKOBA man died on the spot on Thursday night after he was stabbed by six men who accused him of blocking their path.
Lawrence Mbama, 37, who worked at a flea-market in the city, was attacked at around 7:30PM near the corner of Basch Street and 6th Avenue as he walked home with two friends.
His attackers fled into a nearby bar after overpowering his friends who had attempted to rescue him.
Mbama's family told The Chronicle yesterday that on the fateful day they heard noise near their home and ignored it under the mistaken belief that it was some people fighting.
"We heard noise emanating from the road and we ignored it as we thought it was people just fighting. However, a few minutes later, a resident came to the house and notified me that my son-in-law had died in the same fight," said Regina Gumbo, who was comforting Mbama's widow.
"We wish we knew the motive behind the killing. The group of men didn't take anything from Mbama. He didn't fight with anyone and we're failing to come to terms with his death."
Gumbo said a neighbour notified them that Mbama had been killed and when they went to the scene his body had deep cuts on the thigh.
"He was badly injured and there was no way he could've survived the attack. He's survived by his wife and four children and we're waiting for the elders to come and we can arrange for his burial," she said.
A Makokoba resident, Mbono Khuphe, said Mbama was attacked while walking with two friends.
"As he crossed the road, a gang of men caught up with them and started accusing Mbama of blocking their way. A misunderstanding arose which led to the gang assaulting Mbama until he fell down," said Khuphe.
He said the men continued assaulting him as he lay on the ground.
"One of them produced a sharp object and stabbed him twice on the left thigh and once on the shoulder blade. His friends tried rescuing him but they were overpowered as the gang threatened to stone them," he added.
He said an ambulance crew declared Mbama dead when they arrived at the scene.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident and appealed to members of the public to assist police.
"We're investigating another case of murder in the city where a 37-year-old man was stabbed in Makokoba. We're appealing to members of the public to help us with information that may lead to the arrest of these criminals," said Insp Moyo.
He urged the public to cooperate with police during stop and search operations as it was important for police to confiscate lethal weapons like knobkerries, okapi knives and iron bars.
"They may contact us on our hotline, (09) 885479, toll free for NetOne subscribers 110, WhatsApp platform on +263776097122. We will continue arresting people found with lethal weapons and we ask the public to cooperate so we repossess all the weapons to avoid such crimes."
Lawrence Mbama, 37, who worked at a flea-market in the city, was attacked at around 7:30PM near the corner of Basch Street and 6th Avenue as he walked home with two friends.
His attackers fled into a nearby bar after overpowering his friends who had attempted to rescue him.
Mbama's family told The Chronicle yesterday that on the fateful day they heard noise near their home and ignored it under the mistaken belief that it was some people fighting.
"We heard noise emanating from the road and we ignored it as we thought it was people just fighting. However, a few minutes later, a resident came to the house and notified me that my son-in-law had died in the same fight," said Regina Gumbo, who was comforting Mbama's widow.
"We wish we knew the motive behind the killing. The group of men didn't take anything from Mbama. He didn't fight with anyone and we're failing to come to terms with his death."
Gumbo said a neighbour notified them that Mbama had been killed and when they went to the scene his body had deep cuts on the thigh.
"He was badly injured and there was no way he could've survived the attack. He's survived by his wife and four children and we're waiting for the elders to come and we can arrange for his burial," she said.
A Makokoba resident, Mbono Khuphe, said Mbama was attacked while walking with two friends.
"As he crossed the road, a gang of men caught up with them and started accusing Mbama of blocking their way. A misunderstanding arose which led to the gang assaulting Mbama until he fell down," said Khuphe.
He said the men continued assaulting him as he lay on the ground.
"One of them produced a sharp object and stabbed him twice on the left thigh and once on the shoulder blade. His friends tried rescuing him but they were overpowered as the gang threatened to stone them," he added.
He said an ambulance crew declared Mbama dead when they arrived at the scene.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident and appealed to members of the public to assist police.
"We're investigating another case of murder in the city where a 37-year-old man was stabbed in Makokoba. We're appealing to members of the public to help us with information that may lead to the arrest of these criminals," said Insp Moyo.
He urged the public to cooperate with police during stop and search operations as it was important for police to confiscate lethal weapons like knobkerries, okapi knives and iron bars.
"They may contact us on our hotline, (09) 885479, toll free for NetOne subscribers 110, WhatsApp platform on +263776097122. We will continue arresting people found with lethal weapons and we ask the public to cooperate so we repossess all the weapons to avoid such crimes."
Source - chronicle
